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Sexual Assault of Detained Migrant Children

  • March 27, 2019
  • KBA Attorneys
  • No Comments

It has been reported that over the last few years, immigrants children without parents who have been arriving at the border have accused fellow immigrants and shelter workers of sexual abuse while in government custody.

In total, there were more than 4,500 allegations in total between 2015 and 2018, however, only about 1,300 of them were serious enough to be sent to the FBI for further investigation. An official stated that the remainder of the allegations were unfounded and not able to be proven. Out of 1,300, 178 of the cases were very serious and accused shelter workers of inappropriate behavior, including watching kids shower, touching inappropriately, and some relationships.

Over the years it has become apparent that these shelters where immigrants are held are unsafe for children and parents alike. These allegations show this, and the Office of Refugee Resettlement recognizes that although many of these cases turn out to be false or have no evidence, just one case of abuse is too many, as they are supposed to be helping these children.

Currently, there are roughly 13,000 migrant children in custody, as any minor who is caught at the border and is not under the supervision of a parent or legal guardian is treated as an unaccompanied minor and is put into a shelter for the time period until they go to their day in immigration court.